Mavs Starting Small Forward: Tim Hardaway Jr. or Josh Green?

During the NBA offseason, the Dallas Mavericks have revamped their roster after a disappointing, playoff-less finish to the 2022-23 season.

With re-signing Kyrie Irving, acquiring forward Grant Williams, and landing rookies Dereck Lively II, OMax Prosper and veteran center Richaun Holmes on draft night, while also re-signing Dwight Powell and reuniting with Seth Curry, Dallas’ roster looks a lot different now. Not to mention the value marginal signings of Derrick Jones Jr. and Dante Exum.

As for Jason Kidd’s starting lineup for the 2023-24 season, Luka Doncic and Irving will be the starting backcourt, and the Mavs have Williams and the choice between Holmes, Lively and Powell for the starting power forward and center positions.

But the small forward spot? That seems to be up for grabs between Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green.

Heading into the summer, and even at last season’s trade deadline, the Mavs have actively searched for a trade partner for Hardaway, and despite having discussions with several teams, Dallas has yet to find a deal.

With that said, if THJ still has “Dallas” across his chest come the start of the regular season, it’s possible that he joins Doncic and Irving on the wing in the starting lineup. After all, the team was 1-10 last season when Hardaway didn’t play. The Mavs might have a better roster now, but they could still find Hardaway to be very useful this season.

There’s two arguments for why Hardaway should land in the starting lineup to the start the season. One is his advantage on the offensive end of the floor. Playing alongside Doncic and Irving, Hardaway should be gifted open looks from downtown on a silver platter. THJ has shot at least 38.5 percent on 3s in three of his last four seasons.

And yes, the same can be said for Green, who shot a career-high 40 percent from deep last season, but it’s THJ’s overall consistent aggressiveness on the offensive end that could give him an edge.

Secondly, starting Hardaway eases the logjam off the bench, which already includes Jaden Hardy and Seth Curry. If THJ were to come off the bench as well, Kidd and staff would have quite the decision to make regarding the reserve guard rotation.

But at the end of the day, we believe this is Green’s time to shine.

Entering his fourth season with a potential contract extension in the near future — NBA reporter Marc Stein says those extension talks have been initiated as of Wednesday — it’s crucial for both Green and the Mavs that his growth from year three continues into the 2023-24 season.

Green posted career-high numbers across the board last season as he showed substantial improvement on the offensive side of the ball as both a playmaker and a confident knockdown shooter. He shot 53.7 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from deep while more than doubling his attempts per game from the previous two seasons.

With the Mavs striking out in their pursuit of restricted free agent wing defender Matisse Thybulle, who was rumored to be penciled in as a potential starter, that should be a good sign for Green starting over THJ, as the Australian wing’s defensive ability is near the top on the entire roster.

It’s completely feasible that Dallas winds up finding a dance partner in a deal for Hardaway before the season begins, which could land the Mavs their ideal ‘stopgap’ starting center. But, if not, a decision on who fills the starting small forward spot is up for grabs, and regardless of Hardaway’s standing on the team as a proven veteran, Green should be in the driver’s seat.

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